Submission of views on CJ nominee Maraga expires Wednesday

October 12, 2016 8:22 am

Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi had called for views before the vetting exercise by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on Thursday/FILE

By SIMON NDONGA, NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 12 – The deadline for the public to submit their views on the nomination of David Maraga as Chief Justice is set to expire Wednesday.

Clerk of the National Assembly Justin Bundi had called for views before the vetting exercise by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on Thursday.

He urged Kenyans to submit any written statement on oath that they may have on the Appeals Court judge.

House Speaker Justin Muturi was in the meantime on Wednesday to formally inform the House, of the admissibility of a petition challenging Maraga’s nomination to the post before referring it to the JLAC.

The petitioner cites gross backlog of cases created by Justice Maraga in Eldoret as his main reason for challenging the nomination.

The Samuel Chepkonga-led House team is scheduled to conduct a vetting hearing of the CJ nominee before making its recommendations to the House on his suitability to head the third Arm of Government.

The Judicial Service Commission last month nominated Maraga to take over from Willy Mutunga, who retired in June.

He will assume office with immediate effect if approved by the National Assembly.